On December 18, Samvel Shahramanyan, the de-facto President of the former separatist Karabakh, stated that he had been questioned as a witness by the Military Investigative Committee. Speaking to journalists, Shahramanyan emphasized that the questioning did not concern the 44-Day War, but focused on the military actions of 2023 and their consequences, adding that he could not disclose details due to the confidentiality of the preliminary investigation and stressing that he had never avoided cooperating with law enforcement bodies or answering their questions.

During the conversation, Shahramanyan also stated that he might visit the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, expressing regret that church-related issues were being addressed with the involvement of the general public rather than behind closed doors, and emphasized that "we share the position of the Catholicos of All Armenians on the issue of Karabakh and the rights of Karabakh Armenians". Addressing developments related to the evacuation from Karabakh, Shahramanyan stated that Azerbaijan had demanded the detention of Kamo Vardanyan, the former Defense Minister of the unrecognized Karabakh, in exchange for organizing the safe evacuation of the population, adding that Baku had also included him on the list of individuals it intended to take prisoner.

"Yes, people knew that Azerbaijan had made this decision, but they stayed to organize the safe evacuation of the population," Shahramanyan emphasized. Touching upon political narratives, Shahramanyan stated that the issue of the return of Armenians to Karabakh could not be equated with what he described as fictitious claims about "Western Azerbaijan," stressing that the return of Armenians to Karabakh was a matter of international law and noting that accusations of revanchism and warmongering were unfounded.

"No one knows the price of peace better than the Armenians of Karabakh," Shahramanyan stated, emphasizing support for the peace process and adding that Armenia had, contrary to some claims, recognized Karabakh as an independent state at various stages through interstate agreements, cooperation frameworks, and official participation in presidential inaugurations. He emphasized that questions regarding the abandonment of this position should be addressed to Armenia’s current authorities.

Shahramanyan also rejected information disseminated by media outlets close to the Azerbaijani government, which claimed that he had allegedly provided coordinates of important political figures in Karabakh, describing these allegations as "a lie" and "a fabricated argument aimed at misleading the Armenian side". Referring to the detention of Ruben Vardanyan, Shahramanyan stated that no one had been hiding, stressing that the Azerbaijani side was fully aware of everyone’s whereabouts and that Vardanyan attempted to cross into Armenia via the Lachin Corridor, fully aware of Azerbaijani positions and checkpoints.

"He was not detained in any shelter, bunker, forest, or while attempting to leave via alternative routes," Shahramanyan stated, adding that Vardanyan was detained on the Akari Bridge and that claims about someone providing his coordinates were illogical. He also stated that Samvel Babayan entered Armenia in the same manner as others who left Karabakh.